Question for mothers/expectant mothers

[KiaKat]

Not pregnant yet (not for lack of trying...) but I can't take vitamin capsules at all. For some reason, they inevitably make me revisit my breakfast (or last night's dinner). My midwife recommended I try the gummy ones. So far, they've worked wonders. The only problem is the lack of iron in them, but my levels were a touch high at my last workup, anyway.

[fireheart]

Not pregnant yet (not for lack of trying...) but I can't take vitamin capsules at all. For some reason, they inevitably make me revisit my breakfast (or last night's dinner). My midwife recommended I try the gummy ones. So far, they've worked wonders. The only problem is the lack of iron in them, but my levels were a touch high at my last workup, anyway.

You can get liquid iron supplements.

[Mishi]

Highest of all (again, iirc) is liver - but be careful how much of that (or of kidney) you eat, as both contain a concentration of toxins that were in the middle of being processed when the animal died.

Also, liver is not recommended for pregnant women as it is high in Vitamin A, which can cause birth defects in high doses. It is awesome for postnatal recovery though! I have liverwurst on toast (Aussie version is kinda like pate) the day after bub arrives, because I crave it through the whole pregnancy. I feel so much better after eating it, and it also seems to contribute to breastmilk production for me.

[Moogles]

I was unable to take prenatal vitamins during my pregnancy, even with me being SEVERELY anemic. I have a liver condition that makes the absorption of iron next to impossible. Add in 7 months of anytime sickness... yeah it wasn't nice.

[Seshat]

Also, liver is not recommended for pregnant women as it is high in Vitamin A, which can cause birth defects in high doses.

Thank you for alerting me (all of us) to that. I didn't know.

.... and this is why CS has a policy of referring people to medical specialists for medical advice.

[fireheart]

Thank you for alerting me (all of us) to that. I didn't know.

.... and this is why CS has a policy of referring people to medical specialists for medical advice.

Oops.

Does dietary advice count? ;p

[Sapphire Silk]

My doctor did put me on prilosec which helped a little if I took them at the same time (bedtime). It helped keep the acid down so I didn't vomit at least.

Prilosec is Pregnancy Category C, meaning there have been some animal studies that show risk, but the benefits may in some cases outweigh the risks.

Medications are rated A, B, C, D, and X. A means we know they are safe in pregnant women. Not many are A. B means some studies have been done in animals, and it's generally considered safe. D means animal studies or human experience show definate problems and that the benefits rarely outweight the risks. X means the drug is so bad there is never and upside and it should not be used in pregnancy at all.

Pregnant women should not take ANY medications at all, including herbal supplements and dietary supplements, without checking with their OB first.

Yeah, I am definitely going to suggest to her to try and eat better so that she isn't as dependent on the vitamins for nutrition.

I'm not sure what's in a prenatal vitamin that makes it so special.

She said she normally doesn't like milk, but now she can't get enough, and she has been craving red meat, which she also has never been all that fond of.

Pregnant women need to gain weight during pregnancy: about 11-15 kg for an average sized woman, IIRC. Good nutrition is crucial for normal fetal development. Prenatal vitamins include the basic vitamins for mom and baby, and also iron and folic acid. iron is needed to develop red blood cells and muscles, and folic acid to develop a normal neurological system.

It's common for women to experience cravings (pica). Usually they are harmless and she can go ahead an indulge as long as she is getting enough of everything else she needs. Often, the baby's "likes" and "dislikes" will affect what mom can eat. Evil Empryss, when she was pregnant with the Evil Princess, could barely eat any meat at all, and then only chicken. Evil Princess likes her veggies and doesn't eat huge amounts of meat. With the Evil Prince, it was big into red meat, and again with the veggies, things he likes to this day.

Oops.

Does dietary advice count? ;p

Yes, because it can affect a lot of different things. For example, people who take coumadin (a "blood thinner") should not eat foods with Vitamin K like the dark greens because it will inactivate the medication's effects.

Having said all that: ginger ale is a harmless home remedy for nausea, and works well with saltines for morning sickness and other forms of nausea. So does purple grape juice (not the white).

[kpzra]

Prilosec is Pregnancy Category C, meaning there have been some animal studies that show risk, but the benefits may in some cases outweigh the risks.

Pregnant women should not take ANY medications at all, including herbal supplements and dietary supplements, without checking with their OB first.

(Bold mine to stress that point)

It took me losing 25 pounds over the first 4 months for her to put me on it (I was very overweight to begin with but still...). My main problem was acid reflux that would trigger my gag reflex at the drop of a hat and the pre-natals made it worse for some reason. I don't like taking any pills anyway and she knew that so for me to actually want to and take them told her how bad it was. Bibbers is now a healthy 3 year old driving me nuts.

[Seshat]

Yes, because it can affect a lot of different things. For example, people who take coumadin (a "blood thinner") should not eat foods with Vitamin K like the dark greens because it will inactivate the medication's effects.

This is why we - Mods and medicos - decided that patient-to-patient info was fine, but not actual medical advice.

Patient-to-patient means "this worked for me/this didn't work for me/this was okay for me, but I've heard it helps a lot of people". That sort of thing.

Stuff that may help you and your medical team find a right answer, but which isn't an outright answer itself.

I'm not always good at phrasing my medical answers as patient-to-patient.

[Ree]

Having said all that: ginger ale is a harmless home remedy for nausea, and works well with saltines for morning sickness and other forms of nausea. So does purple grape juice (not the white).

I didn't know that grape juice helped with nausea. Thank you.
She has been drinking a lot of ginger ale.

I know the saltines worked a bit for me, but I don't know if she has tried therm.

Thanks for all the advice and suggestions.

I know that everybody is different, and what works for one may not work for another.
That's why I thought I would ask a wide variety of people to see what their experiences were.

I can give her all kinds of advice based on my own experience, but I only went through one pregnancy and I was sick as a dog almost 24/7 until I delivered 6 weeks early.
After she was born, I weighed 13 pounds less than before I got pregnant.

That's why I can so sympathize with the poor little thing and her nausea.

[Barracuda]

Ginger ale isn't too bad, but the carbonation can be rough on the stomach if it's upset. If the ale isn't working, try a nice soothing ginger tea. It could be drank hot or iced. Another idea would be some nice mint tea.

[Seshat]

Ginger ale isn't too bad, but the carbonation can be rough on the stomach if it's upset. If the ale isn't working, try a nice soothing ginger tea. It could be drank hot or iced. Another idea would be some nice mint tea.

Or open the bottle of ginger ale, and let it go flat. We do that sometimes.

[KiaKat]

I had issues with motion sickness when I was younger, and found that a couple bites of candied ginger were great. I could let them melt in my mouth, which meant I wasn't really swallowing anything, while the ginger and sugar balanced everything out in my system.

[joe20girl]

my doctor suggested gatorade (diluted if the flavor is too strong)
7 up / sprite let it go flat
small sips

stay hydrated
have her check her pee it should be pale to clear if its dark shes getting dyhdrated
if shes dyhydrated she call her doctor and let them know. (ask to speak to a nurse as opposed to the doctor)

if she cant keep anything down at all, she may need to ask about getting put on an anti nausea medication. (i take zofran)